Up 'Til Now

Art Garfunkel

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 1993)
• Original Release Date: October 26, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027HX
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,907 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Garfunkel's single-CD album, Up 'Til Now, is a very peculiar compilation. It doesn't include any of his six Top 40 hits as a solo artist; in fact, it only includes two songs from his previous solo albums. It does include "The Breakup," and 1964's original all-acoustic version of "The Sound of Silence" before a folk-rock rhythm section was added to turn it into a hit. It also includes his theme song for the CBS-TV series "Brooklyn Bridge" and his lovely version of Hoagy Carmichael & Frank Loesser's "Two Sleepy People" for the soundtrack album of A League of Their Own. It's strictly MOR, but Garfunkel lends this much-maligned genre an elegance largely missing from the work of such MOR stars as Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Harry Connick Jr., and Liza Minnelli. Those other singers strain to oversell their modest material, while Garfunkel has the good grace to understate his vocals and allow the frothy sentiments to float atop his purring melodies. And that makes all the difference. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It is fantastic...but...., November 15, 2003

By	Mr. K. O'brien (Blackpool, Lancashire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

...It is very very hard to work out exactly what this album IS.

It is not a compilation of his best....It is not new material yet it includes some...

The best way to describe this album is 'The Best of What Was Left Out...and Some More'.

It contains 'Crying In The Rain', which was freshly recorded with James Taylor for the album. The sounds are fantastic, and like their previous work their voices gell extremely well.

The Breakup is amusing, and has Paul and Art bickering in an evidently rehearsed studio snippet...Although not a song, it is a lovely addition to the album.

All I Know is a song from his very first solo album, Angel Clare, and this is a later take on that hit song. Although nowhere near as majestic as the original, it is still a nice tune, and Jimmy Webb on the piano sounds fantastic.

Just Over Brooklyn Bridge is a very short, but a very majestic little tune. The Sound of Silence is the famous acoustic take on S&G's hit song, it doesnt quite fit in here though, and therefore it just doesnt seem right.

All My Love's Laughter is again a later take on a previous hit, and Since I Don't Have You comes straight from 'Fate For Breakfast'.

Skywriter is probably the best song on this CD, a live take on a tune which I believe could rival any of his previous hits, as Art sings it in a wonderful way, as it would seem only he could.

The Decree comes from Animals Christmas album which he did w/ Amy Grant in 1986, and Two Sleepy People is done fantastically. One Less Holiday is a song which never made it to 'Scissors Cut', and It's All In The Game compliments Arts great voice once again.

Why Worry is one of my favourites on this album, again it is his voice...Sound like a parrot now.

So why only a 4 out of 5?

Well, although it has great songs on it, it can feel a little disjointed at times, and compared to his previous work, it doesnt feel as well structured.

But even with that, it has some gems in there, especially 'Skywriter' and 'Crying In The Rain'...So if you are a fan...it is a must.

If you arent....then it is a worthy addition to a general music rack regardless.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Okay, I stand corrected. THIS is Art's best recording., July 14, 2000

By	Sheila (Hilham, TN United States) - See all my reviews

My second Art Garfunkel album, and I think it's really awesome! "Crying in the Rain", sung with James Taylor, is positively beautiful! "The Break Up" is hilarious (although I couldn't hear Paul Simon's remarks very well)! "Skywriter" is gorgeous! This entire recording is definately Art at his best. You will definately not regret buying it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just so mellow!, August 9, 2006

By	Autumnhaze (North Royalton, OH United States) - See all my reviews

I absolutely love this album -- and am so glad to see that Amazon FINALLY has it in stock! (The library would not sell me their copy, so I just keep getting it out again and again!) Art's voice is so melodious and relaxing. Great for a time when you feel stressful -- or just to enjoy lovely singing anytime. I highly recommend Up 'til Now.